Kyrgyz Ministry, TikTok In Talks To Halt Move To Ban Social Media Network

The Kyrgyz Culture Ministry is holding talks with officials from TikTok over accessibility to the video-sharing application after the Central Asian nation announced last month it wanted to block access over what it cited was the platform's effect on the mental health of children. "We laid out a condition that the age limit and the adaptation of social network rules to Kyrgyz legislation should be done. They said that it is technically difficult. Talks are ongoing," ministry official Bektur Ibrahimov said on September 7. Some critics have voiced concerns the government is using the move to block free speech and the flow of information. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service, click here.